About Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide
Mission Statement
Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide (ISMS) is dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by the complex and often isolating loss of murder-suicide. Founded by survivors, for survivors, ISMS provides compassionate, survivor-informed support, education, and advocacy to help individuals navigate grief, trauma, and stigma while finding connection, healing, and hope.
About Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide
Impacted Survivors of Murder Suicide was founded by Michael Vinton, Tina Chevalier, and Kristina F., LCMHC, each personally impacted by murder suicide loss. After navigating their own experiences, they began searching for support created specifically for families living with this kind of grief and found very little that reflected its full complexity.
ISMS grew from that reality. It was created to offer a space where survivors do not have to explain the nuances of their loss, soften their experience, or carry it alone. From the beginning, it has been shaped by lived experience and by the belief that survivors deserve to be met as they are.
Today, Michael and Tina continue to lead ISMS and carry its vision forward.
Meet the Team
Tina C.
Co-Founder/ Vice President
Loss survivor of murder-suicide and advocate.
Tina Chevalier is a founding member of Impacted Survivors of Murder Suicide (ISMS) and a survivor of the loss of her brother in 2021. Her journey through grief shaped her commitment to creating spaces where survivors can feel held with compassion, understanding, and care. Guided by her lived experience, Tina brings a survivor first approach to her work and is dedicated to continually learning, researching, and growing so she can better serve this deeply underserved community. She helps guide ISMS’s survivor support programs and outreach efforts, bringing a steady, compassionate presence to every part of the work. Through her leadership at ISMS, she works to build community, elevate awareness, and foster meaningful support for those navigating the long aftermath of murder suicide. Her work reflects a steady devotion to healing, connection, and the belief that no survivor should ever be left alone in their grief.
Michael Vinton
Co-Founder/ President
Loss survivor of murder-suicide and advocate.
Michael Vinton is a Los Angeles-based actor, foster and adoptive parent, and small business owner. The tragic loss of his brother in August 2020 catalyzed Michael’s work supporting fellow murder-suicide loss survivors. He contributed to the collective book, "Untold Stories of Murder-Suicide" and also volunteers at Didi Hirsch in their Survivors After Suicide support groups. He co-created and patented the Murder-Suicide Loss Survivor ribbon with fellow loss survivors. Michael's advocacy work led to the development of the podcast "Unspoken Grief" and the formation of the group Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide, which he co-founded with Kristina Faulkner and Tina Chevalier. Their mission aims to increase awareness, enhance support groups, advance research, and pave the way for prevention efforts.
Mateenah Adeleke
Mateenah, is currently a senior at Smith College, double majoring in Psychology and Theatre. Mateenah is deeply passionate about community, mental health, and creative expression, and has had the opportunity to work with several organizations supporting high-risk and underserved populations, including those affected by suicide. Mateenah is honored and excited to be volunteering with the Impacted Survivors Team and looks forward to contributing to this meaningful work.
Meet the Board
Dr. Denise Dailey
Director
Dr. Denise Dailey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Chicago with PSYPACT authorization and licensure in Illinois and Texas. She is the founder of Our Dailey Bread PLLC, where she provides specialized mental health services to U.S. Active-Duty Military, Veterans, and their families. She also serves as Co‑Chair of the APA Division 19 Regional Research Symposia, advancing international collaboration in military psychology.
Her clinical work focuses on expanding access to culturally responsive care for marginalized communities, improving PTSD treatment pathways for chronically homeless veterans, and increasing psychological assessment services for low‑income and at‑risk populations. Dr. Dailey earned her doctorate from Adler University with a specialty in Military Clinical Psychology and completed advanced training at The Road Home Program at RUSH and the El Paso VA, where she received national certifications in CPT and PCMHI.
She brings extensive leadership experience, including roles as Director of the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network, Primary Care Psychologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, member of the DEI Leadership Committee for the Northern California VA Health Care System, programming and outreach supervisor for a veteran homeless initiative in Chicago, and clinical supervisor for behavioral health programs serving individuals with severe ID/DD. Clinically, she specializes in evidence‑based treatments for PTSD, chronic pain, and insomnia, and conducts comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments.
Dr. Nic Scott
Director
Nic Scott, PhD, is a scientist, researcher, and dedicated generalist whose life and work are driven by a commitment to making the world a better place for all. With doctoral degrees from Georgia State University and the Observatoire de Paris, Nic has built a diverse scientific and technical background spanning astrophysics, exoplanet research, optical and infrared instrumentation, hardware development, and advanced prototyping.
Throughout his career, Nic has embraced the belief that meaningful progress happens when knowledge, disciplines, and people come together. He is a strong advocate for science- and data-informed decision-making and believes that innovation is most powerful when it is used to improve lives and create positive change.
As a Board Member of Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide, Nic brings his analytical perspective, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to evidence-based solutions to the organization’s mission. He is passionate about supporting the development of thoughtful, effective resources and approaches that can help survivors, families, and communities navigate the complex impact of murder-suicide loss.
Nic’s dedication to lifelong learning, collaboration, and service reflects a belief that we all have a role to play in creating a more compassionate, informed, and connected world.
Colleen Foy
Director
Colleen Foy is an accomplished actress, educator, advocate, and humanitarian whose career reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, inclusion, and connection. She brings more than two decades of professional experience in film, television, theatre, and the performing arts to her role as a Board Member of Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide (ISMS).
Colleen’s extensive acting credits include her multi-season role as Inara on ABC/Shondaland’s Station 19, as well as appearances in There Will Be Blood, Quantum Leap, Chicago Med, The Rookie, Law & Order: SVU, and numerous other film and television productions. She has also performed on prestigious stages including the Kennedy Center and Mark Taper Forum.
A significant part of Colleen’s professional and personal journey has been her longstanding advocacy for the Deaf community. Early in her career, she toured nationally with the National Theatre of the Deaf as the company’s only hearing member, performing as Alice in Alice in Wonderland. She has been fluent in American Sign Language for more than 25 years and continues to be a passionate ally and advocate for greater inclusion and representation of Deaf individuals in the arts and beyond.
Colleen also serves as an acting coach and educator, sharing her knowledge and experience with emerging performers and helping others navigate the entertainment industry with authenticity, confidence, and purpose.
As an ISMS Board Member, Colleen brings the same qualities that have defined her career and advocacy work: compassion, integrity, empathy, and a commitment to ensuring that people feel seen, heard, and supported. She is particularly passionate about using her platform and experience to help amplify the voices of those whose stories are too often overlooked or misunderstood.
Meet the Advisory Council
Lila Sorenson
Advisor
Lila Sorenson holds a Master’s Degree in social work from Boston University and a Master’s Degree in public administration from Clark University. Currently, Lila serves as a clinical social worker with the Department of Mental health. Lila also has a small private practice on the side where she meets with clients ranging from kids to adults with varying mental health diagnoses.
Lila learned about the Impacted Survivors of Murder Suicide at a suicide prevention conference they attended in 2025. Lila gravitated toward this cause and organization through her interest and passion clinically in suicide prevention.
In their free time, Lila enjoys spending time with her guinea pig, reading, and crafting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide, and why?
Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide (ISMS) is dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by the complex and often isolating loss of murder-suicide. Founded by survivors, for survivors, ISMS provides compassionate, survivor-informed support, education, and advocacy to help individuals navigate grief, trauma, and stigma while finding connection, healing, and hope.
What is ISMS's mission?
ISMS supports individuals and families navigating the complex, often isolating loss of murder-suicide. The organization provides survivor-informed support, education, and advocacy to help people move through grief, trauma, and stigma toward connection, healing, and hope.
What makes ISMS different from other grief organizations?
ISMS was created by survivors, for survivors, specifically for this kind of loss — one that involves grieving more than one person at once, often including someone who caused harm to another loved one. It’s a space where survivors don’t have to explain the nuances of their loss, soften it, or carry it alone.
Who is currently part of the ISMS team?
Co-founders Tina Chevalier and Michael Vinton continue to lead ISMS’s programs, outreach, and podcast. The team also includes volunteers such as Mateenah Adeleke, a Smith College student studying Psychology and Theatre, who supports the organization’s work with high-risk and underserved populations.
How can I get involved or reach out?
You can connect directly through the “Let’s Talk Now” contact link to share your story or ask questions, or support the mission with a donation through ISMS’s Givebutter page. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line — support is available 24/7.
Get in Touch
Interested in connecting with us? We welcome you to share your thoughts and stories. Your voice matters, and we are here to support you on your journey of healing and hope.
SUPPORT IMPACTED SURVIVORS
Your donation is more than a gift—it’s a lifeline.
When you give to ISMS, you provide critical support to survivors of murder-suicide as they navigate trauma, grief, and the stigma that often follows. Your generosity helps offer safe spaces, healing resources, and community. Together, we can raise awareness, restore hope, and remind survivors they are not alone.